Grill question
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Grill question
I was wondering what you all think. Should I go with a 54 grill or should I change to a 53-56 grill. I dont really like the 54 that much but i also realize that it is unique and different...which i like that about it. Just wanted yalls imput
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 432
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From: West London, England
Personally I like my 54 grill, painted the right colour they can look good
At the end of the day it's your truck, build it the way you want
Be aware that if you change the grill you will have to use the matching gravel pan and if going for a 56 grill you will need the air deflectors with indentations to clear the headlamp buckets
Steve
At the end of the day it's your truck, build it the way you want
Be aware that if you change the grill you will have to use the matching gravel pan and if going for a 56 grill you will need the air deflectors with indentations to clear the headlamp buckets
Steve
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,094
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From: Brentwood, TN
54 grilles used to be the "ugly duckling" of the early F100 series but now they seem to have gotten some new respect. For years it seemed like every slant cab had a 56 grille but that got old fast. What I really like is the 53 grille with 56 headlights...nice clean, smooth look and just enough different to make some folks take notice.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,641
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From: Poway, Ca.
Well, I have a suggestion! (Oh goodie!)
I couldn't decide on my 51 if I wanted to keep the grill stock with the 3 teeth, or add two teeth to make it look a little more "Desoto."
So, what I did was buy a second grill and the two extra teeth, made the five tooth grill, rewired them identically with quick disconnects (like rubber trailer plugs) for the headlight wires. The two extra teeth are cut to sit on top (very close) of the lower valance and not protrude into it like the stock three.
THEN I brazed the mounting bolts for the grills into the holes they normally go into in the headlight part on the grill. And now I hold the grill into place with wing nuts (and lock washers of course) on the back of the wind panel.
So, I can change out the grills in about 5 minutes. Maybe you could do such a thing with the 54 grill and a 53! The 53 grill is prettier, but that shark tooth 54 is Baaaaad!
J!
I couldn't decide on my 51 if I wanted to keep the grill stock with the 3 teeth, or add two teeth to make it look a little more "Desoto."
So, what I did was buy a second grill and the two extra teeth, made the five tooth grill, rewired them identically with quick disconnects (like rubber trailer plugs) for the headlight wires. The two extra teeth are cut to sit on top (very close) of the lower valance and not protrude into it like the stock three.
THEN I brazed the mounting bolts for the grills into the holes they normally go into in the headlight part on the grill. And now I hold the grill into place with wing nuts (and lock washers of course) on the back of the wind panel.
So, I can change out the grills in about 5 minutes. Maybe you could do such a thing with the 54 grill and a 53! The 53 grill is prettier, but that shark tooth 54 is Baaaaad!
J!
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
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From: Middle Gawga
Yes but the two well positioned, large bulges of the 54 grill do stand out firm and proud just like...... ah hem.. I mean Jayne was such a 50s icon. She sure did wonders for many GIs morale 
stationed far from home!
I say KEEP the original girl I mean grill. Just do a search of Jayne Mansfield http://www.jaynemansfield.com/ wonderful photos and I think the grill will match perfectly to the 54 "body lines".
Cheers!
stationed far from home!I say KEEP the original girl I mean grill. Just do a search of Jayne Mansfield http://www.jaynemansfield.com/ wonderful photos and I think the grill will match perfectly to the 54 "body lines".
Cheers!
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 25,405
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From: Central PA
I like the '54 grille but of course I own a '54. I do really like them because they are more 3-D than the other grilles. They are the only grilles from '53-'56 that you can see from a side view of the truck. Painted the tight color like mentioned above helps. The original color is Sungate Ivory. Ford literature says it compliments all body colors.
Another thing I learned from a Ford Book, sorry Mansfield supporters. This is from the "Standard catalog of Light Duty Ford Trucks: 1905-2002 written by John Gunnell, on page 93 it says: "It had a massive "jet-wing" grille insert with 3 slots at the bottom center supported by inward-slanting vertical uprights." If you look at the grille the right way it does look like 50's era jet wing which was popular in that period.
My line of thinking is if you change the grille on a '53-'55 truck then you really don't have that year truck as the grille is the defining part that makes the year different...
But as said before, it is your truck you can do with it whatever you want! As long as you don;t sell it for scrap!!!!
Another thing I learned from a Ford Book, sorry Mansfield supporters. This is from the "Standard catalog of Light Duty Ford Trucks: 1905-2002 written by John Gunnell, on page 93 it says: "It had a massive "jet-wing" grille insert with 3 slots at the bottom center supported by inward-slanting vertical uprights." If you look at the grille the right way it does look like 50's era jet wing which was popular in that period.
My line of thinking is if you change the grille on a '53-'55 truck then you really don't have that year truck as the grille is the defining part that makes the year different...
But as said before, it is your truck you can do with it whatever you want! As long as you don;t sell it for scrap!!!!
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